Hematite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

What are the Uses of Hematite?

Red ochre clay contains hematite. People have used this material since the Stone Age for decoration and writing. More recently, rouge, a polishing compound widely used on silver and gold, is powdered hematite. Of course, people have also mined this mineral as a source of iron.

What Color are Hematites?

The name "hematite" comes from the Greek word for blood. Indeed, some hematites can show red colors, and this mineral also has a distinctive red streak. (See "Identifying Characteristics" below). However, hematites occur in a range of colors, from black and metallic, steel gray to blood-like red in thin slivers or crystals. Massive crystals can have a brownish red color. Most commonly, hematites are black or gray.

Does Hematite a Make Good Jewelry Stone?

Gem cutters often make cameos, intaglios, carvings, beads, and cabochons from hematites. Occasionally, gem enthusiasts may want these opaque, sub-metallic gems faceted, with flat bases and few facets (like a classic marcasite).

Although reasonably tough with a hardness between 5 and 6.5, hematites are also brittle. As ring stones, use protective settings to shield them from bumps and scratches. Other uses, such as in pendants or brooches, shouldn't require any special protections.

Identifying Characteristics

Hematite's deep red or brownish red streak is characteristic and diagnostic. A massive material consisting of a mixture of hematite, martite, and gangue minerals occurs near Ouro Preto, Brazil. This granular material has a dark brown, rather than a red, streak.

Although similar in appearance to psilomelane, a manganese oxide, hematite conducts electricity weakly, unlike this lookalike.

Is Hematite Magnetic?

Natural hematites aren't magnetic. However, you may encounter a magnetic material sold as "hematine" or "magnetic hematite." Despite its name, this material contains no hematite at all. Although these pieces simulate hematites and even have red streaks, their magnetism exposes them.

Gem carvers have made cameos, intaglios, and cabs from hematine.

Where are Hematites Found?

Hematites occur in most European countries. Much of this material is cut in Idar-Oberstein, Germany but actually comes from England.

Other notable sources include the following:

• England: kidney ore from the Cumberland area.
• Brazil: fine crystals, also massive material from a locality near Ouro Preto.
• United States: Alaska; Arizona; Michigan Lake Superior region, Minnesota; Missouri; New York; Pennsylvania; South Dakota; Tennessee; Wisconsin; Wyoming.
• Canada; Cuba; Elba, Italy; Mexico.

Stone Sizes

Massive material is available in very large, solid pieces, good for cutting beads, cabs, etc, of any size desired.

Caring for Hematites

Avoid cleaning hematites with mechanical systems, such as steam or ultrasonic processes. Instead, use a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Consult our gemstone jewelry care guide for more recommendations.

Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA

Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.

Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com

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